Mesothelioma Caregivers

Caring for Someone With Mesothelioma

Caring for a loved one with mesothelioma — be it your spouse, parent, friend, or relative — may feel like a full-time job.

People diagnosed with mesothelioma not only need expert medical care, but they may also need help coordinating appointments, traveling to and from their cancer treatment center, and even doing daily chores like tidying up or shopping for groceries.

If you are a mesothelioma caregiver, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and sad — especially without help from others.

For this reason, it’s important to seek support from loved ones, friends and community members, support groups, and other organizations. This ensures both your loved one and you are receiving the best care possible.

“[It was] very tough on my family. Very hard on my kids. Hard on all of us. It changes your life. Cancer changes everybody’s life.”

Tips for Mesothelioma Caregivers

If you are new to caregiving, or if you’re feeling burnt out, the following tips can help you manage your stress — and your loved one’s health — more effectively.

Prepare for Caregiving

After your loved one has a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis, ask their doctor about what your role will be as a caregiver. A mesothelioma doctor can give you a better idea of how to prepare and how you can help.

Additionally, becoming educated on your loved one’s condition can help you know what to expect as you serve in this caregiving role.

You can learn about mesothelioma from:

• American Cancer Society
• American Lung Association
• Mayo Clinic
• National Cancer Institute
• National Organization for Rare Disorders

A study published in the June 2022 edition of the European Journal of Cancer Care followed 14 people who had provided care to mesothelioma patients. Among the findings, the researchers found that the caregivers’ lack of information about the disease and uncertainty about a patient’s prognosis caused them stress.

“Patients with mesothelioma and lung cancer, and their caregivers, are known to have some of the highest unmet needs of all cancer populations.”

The researchers said providing accurate information about prognosis, disease process, and access to care could help meet some of those needs.

Join a Mesothelioma Support Group

Mesothelioma support groups bring you together with other mesothelioma patients and caregivers. These groups also provide a safe place where you can speak honestly about your emotions and challenges.

Mesothelioma caregiver support groups meet:

• In-person
• Online
• Over the phone

In-person groups can be found by talking to the patient’s oncologist (cancer doctor) or medical social workers. Online groups are available on social media sites like Facebook.

Practice Self-Care

The importance of self-care cannot be stressed enough as you support a cancer patient. By caring for yourself, you can recharge and, in turn, provide more effective help to your loved one.

Mesothelioma caregivers can practice self-care by:

• Exercising regularly
• Finding time to relax
• Following a regular schedule
• Maintaining a social life
• Working to understand your feelings

You can also reach out to a mental health professional who can help you understand your emotions and cope with the experience.

“Your own health and safety must come first if you want to keep helping your loved one.”

One review of nearly 700 articles found that relaxation and anxiety-reducing techniques can be helpful for those caring for terminally ill people. The researchers also noted that caregivers’ quality of life can be boosted by family involvement, gaining knowledge about the disease and its treatments, and maintaining an optimistic attitude.

The study was published in May 2022 by the medical journal Palliative Care Review.

Caring for someone with mesothelioma? Our compassionate Patient Advocates can help by providing you with information on treatments, financial aid, support resources, and more.

Ask for Help From Others

The American Cancer Society encourages mesothelioma caregivers to work with friends, family, and even professionals to see if they can get help with their caregiving duties. There is no shame in getting help.

For example, you can ask a trusted relative or friend to pick up groceries or do other household tasks while you take your loved one to a doctor’s appointment. You can also look into getting an in-home nurse or aide if you can’t provide full-time care.

Mesothelioma Caregiver Roles

A great way for a mesothelioma caregiver to get support is to split up responsibilities with others. This strategy allows the patient to get the help they need while preventing one person from doing all the work.

Below, learn about different responsibilities loved ones may take on when caring for someone with mesothelioma.

Spouses

Spouses often take on the role of primary caregiver, leading the mesothelioma patient’s care and recruiting others to help. In many cases, they help research mesothelioma treatment options, including clinical trials.

Spouses of mesothelioma patients may need to:

• Ask family and friends when and how they may be able to help
• Hold regular family meetings and provide updates on the patient’s condition, needs, and care
• Make a list or calendar to keep shared responsibilities organized

If other family members can’t provide mesothelioma help, spouses can turn to friends, church members, or neighbors.

Children

Adult children are often a big part of a cancer support team, particularly if the mesothelioma patient and their spouse are elderly.

Children can provide support by:

• Driving their parent to medical appointments and taking detailed notes
• Helping with chores around the house and yard
• Hiring outside nursing help for in-home care
• Visiting regularly

If the mesothelioma patient is not married or their spouse cannot provide care, grown children may take on the role of primary caregiver.

Siblings

Close siblings can offer emotional support to those fighting mesothelioma. For example, siblings may be able to recount fond childhood memories that no one else would know. This can be a great comfort to patients.

Siblings can also serve as caregivers if the patient’s spouse and children are unable to do so, or if they simply need a break.

Parents

While mesothelioma mainly affects those over the age of 70, younger mesothelioma patients may be able to rely on their parents for care. If the patient is married, parents can support the spouse’s caregiving duties. In other cases, a parent may even serve as a primary caregiver.

Other Relatives and Friends

Mesothelioma patients often have friends or other relatives who are willing to help with care. For veterans with mesothelioma, this may include the men and women who served with the patient in the past.

At times, friends and relatives may not be sure how they can help. They can start by staying in regular communication with a patient and their mesothelioma caregivers.

Are you a caregiver? If so, our Free Guide can help ensure that you’re taking care of yourself so you have the energy and emotional strength to care for your sick loved one.

Resources for Mesothelioma Caregivers

As you provide care for someone with mesothelioma, remember that there are tools available to make the process easier. There are resources to help cover travel expenses, medical bills, and other costs.

Mesothelioma care resources include:

• Free or low-cost travel to treatment
• Lodging for overnight stays far from home
• Compensation through legal claims and asbestos trust funds
• Benefits and medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Mesothelioma Hope offers 24/7 support for families dealing with mesothelioma. Contact our Patient Advocates at (866) 608-8933 to share your story and get connected with mesothelioma care resources that can make your life easier.